High speed taping machine



Jan. 24, 1967 E. E. BURROUGHS HIGH SPEED TAPING MACHINE 5 Sheets5heet l I Filed July 25, 1953 Jan. 24, 1967 E. E. BURROUGHS 3,300,363

HIGH SPEED TAPING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan; 24, 1967 E. E. BURRQUGHS 3,300,363

HIGH SPEED TAPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 23, 1963 m TI'LEZIlZ Jan- 24, 1967 E. E. BURROUGHS 3,300,363

HIGH SPEED TAPING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 24, 1967 E. E. BURROUGHS 3,

I HIGH SPEED TAPING MACHINE Filed July 23, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet A I 8 E Q IE5 riala I a I D I I I 4 United States Patent 3,300,363 HIGH SPEED TAPING MACHINE Edwin E. Burroughs,'Pensacola, Fla., assignor to St. Regis Paper Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed July 23, 1963, Ser. No. 297,134 6 Claims. (Cl. 156-521) of which is tape breakage during application. Accordingly, one of the aspects of the present invention is the provision of means for reducing the possibility of tape breakage to a minimum.

Since modern taping machines are operated at high speeds on an assembly line basis, it has become increasingly important to operate with a minimum of down-time for repairs andreplacement of parts. Accordingly, another aspect of this invention resides in the provision of apparatus having greatly increased operating life in order to reduce down-time for repairs and replacement of parts as compared to prior art apparatus. Also, the invention has as one aspect thereof, a simplification of apparatus and methods heretofore deemed necessary for applying tape to the surface of a carton.

As another aspect of our contribution, we provide new and improved means for feeding the tape to the carton, including improved means for severing the tape. Moreover, new and improved means are provided for holding the tape while moisture or glue is being applied thereto and carrying the tape to the point of application upon the carton blank in timed relationship to the feeding of the carton blank.

Still another aspect of the invention resides in the provision of means for-accurately aligning or squaring of the carton blank prior to the application of the aforementioned tape.

Thus, we have conceived an effective and practical solution to the problems presented. In essence, the invention contemplates the provision of a taping machine comprising means for feeding tape at a preselected speed, a rotary knife for cutting such tape, carrying means for passing the tape past an applicator roller and means for applying said tape to a carton. Spaced cross links mounted on two pair of endless chains, respectively, are provided for aligning the carton blank and carrying same to the point of tape application.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof, when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation showing a taping machine constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. 1 having certain elements thereof removed in the manner indicated by lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1, and being partially broken away to reveal the internal structure thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the tape feeding portion of the apparatus, prior to applying the tape to the carton blank;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, showing only the blank feeding elements of the machine;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1';

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FIG, 6 is an enlarged and fragmentary perspective view of the tape cutting portion of the machine;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side section of the machine, the section being taken as indicated by lines 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, on a reduced scale, taken at lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a carton blank prior to the application of the tape thereon;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a carton blank similar to FIG. 10 but showing the blank as it would appear immediately following the taping application;

FIG, 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken at lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the inter-relationship of the various components of the taping machine; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale, of a second embodiment of the moisture applicator.

In the illustrated embodiment, carton blanks 10 enter at the right hand side of the machine and pass to the left hand side thereof as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Pregummed tape 12, in dry form, enters the machine from the left hand side thereof, from a supply roll (not shown), and passes to the tape feeding station of the machine designated generally by reference numeral 14, from whence it passes to the tape cutting apparatus designated generally by reference numeral 16, and thence to the tape wheel 18 which carries the cut tape past a moisture applicator 20 to the zone of application 22 to the carton blank lltl.

In order to accurately dispose the tape 12 upon the carton blank 10 means are provided for aligning the carton blank and carrying same to the area of application in timed relationship to the feeding of the cut tape strips. A table or bed 44 is provided over which the carton blank '10 is pushed while passing through the machine. Such bed extends the entire length of the machine and forms the support for the carton. A .pair of spaced apart longi tudinal'ly extending slots 45 (FIG. 2) are provided for receiving spaced cross links mounted on two pair of endless chains as will be described more fully hereinafter. Referring in particular to FIG. 4, a first pair of endless members or link chains 24 and 2411 are carried on respective pairs of sprocket wheels 26, 26a and 28, 23a disposed at opposite ends of the machine. A second pair of endless members or link chains 30 and 30a are carried on sprocket wheels 32, 32a and 34, 34a. Sprocket wheels 26, 26a and 3-2, 32a are mounted on shaft 36 while sprocket wheels 28, 28a and 34, 34a are mounted on shaft 38, at least one of the shafts being driven. As best seen in FIG. 5, the upper portion of the chains are disposed adjacent the slots 45 in the bed 44. A rearward crosslink or following bar 40 interconnects chain 24 with chain 24a and a forward cross-link or leading bar 42 interconnects chains 30 with 30a (FIGS. 4 and 5). The following bar 40 and the leading bar 42 are adapted to extend from their respective chains through the slots 45 and across the bed 44 (FIG. 5). The bars pass close to the upper surface of the bed 44 so that they can push the carton blank 10 positioned thereon through the machine. It should be pointed out that the following bar 40 is carried by one pair of chains 24 and 24a and the leading bar 42 is carried by another pair of chains so that the spacing between the two bars may be accurately adjusted, as desired.

A pair of friction wheels 46, which are mounted on and driven by friction wheel shaft 48, are disposed near the incoming portion of the bed 44. The friction wheels are driven so that the surface speed thereof is in excess,

by about 20%, of the linear speed of the endless chains 24, 24a and 30, 38a so that the incoming carton is urged against the leading bar 42 as the following bar 40 comes up around the circumference of the sprockets 26, 26a, 32 3 20. at the incoming end of the chain. Thus, the carton is held between the leading bar 42 and the following bar 48 under slight compression and, in this manner, the carton is axially aligned and positioned for subsequently receiving the tape.

Adjacent the friction wheels 46 is a longitudinal plate 50 having an upwardly curved leading edge 52 (FIG. 3). The plate is carried by a pair of adjusting bolts 54 which are in turn connected to a support plate 66 which is carried by a transverse support bar 58. Thus, the longitudinal plate 58 is adapted for holding the carton 18 in fully collapsed condition as it passes along on bed 44, and the compression force thereof may be adjusted by adjusting nuts 60 acting in cooperation with the adjusting bolts 54.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the tape 12 is fed from a supply source (not shown) around a guide roll 62 to a pair of guide rollers 64 and 66. The tape passes gummed side up, partially around the circumference of guide roller 64, thence between the two rollers, and thence partially around the circumference of guide roller 66 to the feeding station 14. The S-shaped path of travel around rollers 64 and 66 is for purposes of providing better control of the tape. Guide roll 62 is mounted on shaft 63, and guide rollers 64 and 66 are mounted on shafts 65 and 67, respectively. The feeding station 14 comprises a pair of feed rollers 68 and 70 which are mounted on shafts 69 and 71, respectively. Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the shaft 71 is supported by yoke 72 which is pivotally mounted on coupling 74 as by means of pin 76. Adjusting bolt 78 threadedly engages coupling 74 and a coupling 86 so that the relative compression force between the feed rollers 68 and 70 may be readily adjusted, as desired. Connected to the feed roller 70 is a drive gear 82 which is driven at a preselected adjustable rate of speed in order to determine the rate of tape feed and, thereby, determine the length of the segments of tape 12 that will be applied to the carton blanks. Since the cutting apparatus 16 operates at a preselected speed of rotation, the speed with which the tape is fed thereto determines the length of the individual strips or segments. From the feed rollers 68 and 70 the tape 12 is pushed between a pair of guide plates 84 and 86 before passing to the cutting apparatus 16. These serve to grip and position the tape for cutting While it is "being pushed through the cutting apparatus 16. As best illustrated in FIG. 8, cutting apparatus 16 comprises a knife wheel 88 mounted for rotation on a shaft 90. Towards the circumference of the knife Wheel 88 is secured a rotary knife 92 having a knife blade 94. The rotary knife 92 is secured to the knife wheel 88 as by means of a bolt 96. The knife wheel 88 and knife blade 94 are driven at a preselected rotational speed in timed relationship to other members of the machine as Will be described more fully hereinafter. A shield 98 is provided for purposes of protecting the operating personnel.

The cut tape passes to the tension rollers 180 and 102 which maintain the tape 12 under tension during the cutting operation as best illustrated in FIG. 6. Tension roller 102 is mounted on shaft 104 which is carried by bracket 106 and bracket 106 is pivotally mounted on fixed shaft 188. A support plate 110 carries an adjusting screw 112 which serves to control the compression between the tension rollers 100 and 162 at the desired amount by pivoting bracket 106 about shaft 188. Tension roller 100 is mounted on shaft 114 and is driven by means of drive gear 116. Still referring to FIG. 6, the knife shield 98 is supported by brackets 118 and 120 provided for the purpose.

The tape passes from the tension rollers 100 and 102 to the tape wheel 18. As best seen in FIG. 9, a hub portion 122 of the wheel 18 is fixedly secured to shaft 124 as by means of bolts 126, and the shaft 124 is driven in timed relationship to other members of the machine in a manner which will be described hereinafter. The wheel 18 is further provided with a rim 128 having a U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross-section and such rim contains a plurality of apertures or openings 129 around the circumference thereof. Adjacent the periphery of the wheel 18 is positioned an endless belt 130 for holding the tape against the wheel during part of its arcuate passage (FIG. 7). The endless belt 130 passes about a series of rollers 132. It will be appreciated that belt 130 may be driven preferably at the same linear speed as the periphery of the wheel 18, if desired. Nested within the U- shaped rim 128 of Wheel 18 is a stationary pneumatic vacuum chamber or suction box 134 having one end of a suction conduit 136 connected to the interior thereof and the other end leading to a vacuum pump 138 (FIG. 3). The suction box 134 is defined by the stationary walls 134a, 134b, 134c and the rotating rim 128 (FIG. 9). Thus, the tape 12 as it is being carried around the periphery of the wheel 18 is maintained in contact therewith by means of [the suction force pulling thereagainst through the openings 129. That is, the endless belt 130 holds the tape 12 against the periphery of the wheel 18 during part of its arcuate travel and the suction force maintains the tape .thereagainst during the remainder of its travel (FIG. 7). Still referring to FIG. 7, adjacent the outer circumference of the wheel 18 is a moisture applicator 28 which comprises a wheel or roller 139 mounted on shaft 140. The outer surface of the roller 139 passes through a reservoir 142 which contains water or other wetting agent. The outer surface of the roller 139 may be covered with felt or the like in order to facilitate its function of picking up moisture from the reservoir 142 and carrying same to the outer exposed gummed surface of the tape 12 as it passes thereby on the circumference of the wheel 18. In the illustrative example pre-gummed tape is employed and, therefore, a water solution is suitable for conditioning the tape for application to the carton 10. However, it is within the concept of the present invention to employ plain tape and utilize an adhesive solution in the reservoir 142 which may be carried to the tape as by menas of brushes or the like mounted to the outer periphery of the roller 139. The reservoir 142 is sup ported by a bar 146 which is attached to the machine frame 148 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, moisture applicator 20 may comprise a spray gun 190 having a nozzle 192, an inlet conduit 194 and a timing valve 196 which is adapted to open each time the tape 12 passes by the nozzle 192 on the tape wheel 18 and close when no tape is passing thereby. Shaft 198 actuates the timing valve 196 in timed relationship to other members of the machine as will be described hereinafter.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the inside of the wheel 18 is enclosed by means of a plate 156- Which also supports the suction box as by means of bolts 152. Such plate is mounted on brackets 154 and 156, which fasten it to the machine frame 148 (fastening means not shown). The center of the plate incorporates a hub portion 158 which forms a journal for the shaft 124 passing therethrough.

As best illustrated in FIG. 7, disposed within the lower portion of the wheel 18 adjacent the zone of application 22 is a stationary pressure chamber which is connected to a source of air under pressure 162. Such chamber is defined by the stationary walls 160a, 134a, and the rotating rim 128. At this point the periphery of the wheel 18 passes closely adjacent the bed 44 over which the carton blank 18 passes. In the zone of application 22, the compressed air passes through the openings 129 in the rim 128 of the wheel 18 to blow the tape strip lengths from the wheel onto vthe carton blank 10 as it passes thereby. That is, the wetted gummed side of the tape 12 is blown into positive engagement with the carton blank. This method of separating the tape 12 from the tape wheel 18 obviates the possibility of the tape sticking to the wheel due to static electricity or excess adhesive on the wheel and assures positive separation repeatedly at precise-1y the right time.

After the tape 12 has been applied to the carton blank in the zone of application 22, the carton blank and tape pass along the bed 44 to a compression member designated generally at 164. Such compression member comprises an endless member or belt 166 which passes around a series of Wheels 168, each of which are supported on a shaft 170 and one of which may be driven, if desired. The carton blank 10 is pushed between the belt 166 and the bed 44 whichare positioned closely adjacent one to the other in order to firmly press the tape 12 against the carton blank 10 for permanent adherence thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a carton blank 10 in its folded condition ready to be fed into the'machine. Such carton blank is provided with two adjacent end edges 172 which will ultimately form one of the corners of the carton when it is in its set-up condition. FIG. 11 shows the same canton blank 11 after a strip of tape 12 has been applied thereto. It should be noted that it is desirable to space the tape 12 a distance, indicated by reference numeral 176 and on the order of inch or so, from the flap portions 174. FIGS. 11 and 12 show a sectional view of the tape 12 permanently adhered to the end edges of the carton 10.

FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic diagram of the control mechanisms for the illustrated embodiment. A motor 178 drives the input shaft 179 of a speed change gear mechanism or gear box 180. Such gear boxes are well known in the art and forms no novel part of this machine. Therefore, we have not illustrated in detail this portion of the machine in the accompanying drawings. The gear box 180 has two output connections or shafts 182 and 184 which turn in a preselected ratio one to the other. Output shaft 182 is operatively connected to shaft 36 in order to drive the chains 24, 24a and 30, 30a. The same output shaft also drives the friction wheels 46 through shaft 48 at a surface speed thereof which is in excess of the linear speed of the endless chains 24, 24a and 30, 30a as previously described. Output shaft 184- is operatively connected to shaft 124 for driving the wheel 18 and shaft 90 for driving the knife wheel 88 and shaft 198 for actuating the spray gun 190, all in fixed speed relationshi one to the other. This shaft also drives roller 132 so that the linear speed thereof is substantially the same as the peripheral speed of the tape wheel 18, and it also drives tension roller 100 through gear 116 at substantially the same speed as the tape wheel. Output shaft 184 also drives feed roller 70 through gear 82 and through a variable speed transmission 186. The internal construction of the variable speed transmission is also well known in the art and forms no novel part of this invention. It will be appreciated that the speed of the tape wheel 18, the belt 130 and the tension rollers 100, 102 is in excess of the linear tape feed speed in order to provide space between adjacent strips of tape which correspond to the spacing between the carton blanks 10 passing through the machine. Thus, the leading edge of a length of tape is fed from the feeding station 14 through the cutting apparatus 16 to the tape wheel 18 where it slides or slips between the rim 128 and the endless belt 130. Simultaneously it is also slipping but being pulled longitudinally taut between the tension rollers 100 and 102. As soon as the knife wheel 88 cuts a length of tape the slippage stops and the cut length of tape is carried around the tape wheel 18.

In the illustrative embodiment, the tape wheel 18 rotates a half turn and the knife wheel 88 makes one complete revolution for the passage of each leading bar 42 thereunder. In this way a cut tape is positioned on each half turn of the wheel 18 so that two carton blanks 10 are taped with each complete revolution of the tape wheel 18 (two complete revolutions of the knife wheel 88).

In this embodiment tape lengths may be cut in'the order of 3 /2 inches to 44 inches depending upon the size of the carton blank. If small boxes are to be taped with the machine in accordance with the illustrative embodiment the speed of operation may be doubled by putting twice as many leading bars 42 and following bars 40 on the pairs of link chains 30, 30a and 24, 24a and by adding a second rotary knife 92 on the knife wheel 88. This would mean that there would be four strips of tape on the tape Wheel 18 and, therefore, four leading bars (or carton blanks 10) would pass thereunder for each revolution of the tape wheel 18.

Thus has been described a taping machine which achieves all of the objects of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A taping machine, comprising a rotary tape Wheel, said tape wheel being rotatable at a constant speed, means for feeding a continuous web of tape at a preselected speed onto said tape wheel periphery at a first location adjacent said tape wheel, a rotary knife substantially adjacent said first location for cutting said tape into a unit length thereof, means for driving said tape wheel at a speed in excess of said preselected speed of feed of said tape, whereby upon being out said tape length is spaced away from the oncoming continuous web of tape, means for retaining said tape on said tape wheel periphery, means for separating said tape length from said tape Wheel at a second location adjacent the periphery of said tape wheel, said means for feeding a continuous web of tape comprises a pair of tension rollers interposed between said rotary knife and said tape wheel and driven at a speed in excess of said preselected speed of feed of said tape, said tape passing between said pair of rollers.

2. A taping machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for retaining said tape on said tape wheel periphery further comprises a movable belt in contact with said periphery of the tape wheel and extending substantially from said first location at least to said pneumatic chamber.

3. A taping machine comprising a rotary tape wheel, said tape wheel being rotatable at a constant speed, means for feeding a continuous web of tape at a preselected speed onto the periphery of said tape wheel at a first location adjacent said tape wheel, means for driving said tape wheel at a speed in excess of said preselected speed of feed of said tape, a knife substantially adjacent said first location for cutting said tape into unit lengths, means disposed between said first location and a second location adjacent said tape wheel for retaining said continuously fed tape on said tape wheel periphery in sliding engagement therewith prior to said knife cutting the tape into said unit lengths and for retaining said cut tape lengths in fixed engagement with said tape wheel periphery subsequent to said cutting thereof, the last said means comprising a movable belt in contact with said tape wheel periphery and extending along at least a part of the peripheral distance between said first and second locations, and means adjacent said tape wheel for positively separating said tape unit lengths from said tape wheel at said second location.

4. A taping machine according to claim 3 wherein said means for retaining said continuously fed tape on said tape wheel periphery further comprises means for applying pneumatic pressure on said tape lengths to retain the same in their said fixed engagement with said tape wheel periphery, said pneumatic pressure means extending along at least a part of the peripheral distance between said movable belt and said second location.

5. A taping machine for applying tape in respective unit lengths to successively fed cartons, comprising a rotary tape wheel having an apertured periphery, said tape wheel being rotatable at a constant speed, means for feeding a continuous web of tape at a preselected speed on to the periphery of said tape wheel at a first location adjacent said tape wheel, a rotary knife substantially adjacent said first location for cutting said tape into said unit lengths, carton conveyor means for transporting said cartons adjacent the periphery of said tape wheel at a second location, means for retaining each said tape length on said tape wheel periphery comprising a stationary pneumatic vacuum chamber for providing vacuum suction through said apertured tape wheel periphery from the interior of said tape wheel, said vacuum chamber being disposed adjacent said tape Wheel periphery and extending along a part of the peripheral distance between said first and second locations and substantially to said second location, means for applying moisture to each said tape length at a location juxtaposed with respect to said pneumatic vacuum chamber, and air pressure means adjacent said second location for blowing said respective tape lengths in positive engagement with said cartons at substantially said second location.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,483,458 10/1949 Fischer et a1. 156521 2,546,873 3/1951 Shields 156521 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

DOUGLAS J. DRUMMOND, Examiner. 

1. A TAPERING MACHINE, COMPRISING A ROTARY TAPE WHEEL, SAID TAPE WHEEL BEING ROTATABLE AT A CONSTANT SPEED, MEANS FOR FEEDING A CONTINUOUS WEB OF TAPE AT A PRESELECTED SPEED ONTO SAID TAPE WHEEL PERIPHERY AT A FIRST LOCATION ADJACENT SAID TAPE WHEEL, A ROTARY KNIFE SUBSTANTIALLY ADJACENT SAID FIRST LOCATION FOR CUTTING SAID TAPE INTO A UNIT LENGTH THEREOF, MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID TAPE WHEEL AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF SAID PRESELECTED SPEED OF FEED IN SAID TAPE, WHEREBY UPON BEING CUT SAID TAPE LENGTH IS SPACED AWAY FROM THE ONCOMING CONTINUOUS WEB OF TAPE, MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID TAPE ON SAID TAPE WHEEL PERIPHERY MEANS FOR SEPARATING SAID TAPE LENGTH FROM SAID TAPE WHEEL AT A SECOND LOCATION ADJACENT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID TAPE WHEEL, SAID MEANS FOR FEEDING A CONTINUOUS WEB OF TAPE COMPRISES A PAIR OF TENSION ROLLER INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID ROTARY KNIFE AND SAID TAPE WHEEL AND DRIVEN AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF SAID PRESELECTED SPEED OF FEED OF SAID TAPE, SAID TAPE PASSING BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF ROLLER. 